By Hyo-Jin Paik
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

URUMQI, China– Human Rights Watch has expressed concern that the latest development in the Xinjinag region indicates that the Chinese government appears to have launched a widespread, politicized crackdown of Uighurs instead of conducting an impartial investigation.

Since the violence erupted on July 5, the Chinese authorities have deployed at least 20,000 troops around Xinjiang, and the national and regional officials have stated that death penalty will be imposed on protesters who committed the violence.

However, Sophie Richardson of Human Rights Watch said, “The government has promised a thorough investigation into the violence but has so far presented a skewed and incomplete picture of the unrest.  This raises serious doubts about its commitment to investigating all aspects of the violence.”

 Uighurs protest in Urumqi (Source: AP)

For example, the official death toll showed that out of 184 people who died, 137 were Han Chinese and only 4 were Uighurs.  However, one Uighur man in Urumqi said, “I’ve heard that more than 100 Uighurs have died but nobody wants to talk about it in public.”  Further, Rebiya Kadeer, Uighur leader who is in exile in the U.S. and being blamed by the Chinese leaders for masterminding the riots, also stated that she believes about 500 Uighurs have died.

There are also reports that the government and media’s reports of the violence focused on instances that were attacks on the Han Chinese.  The government has not released any accounts of violence against Uighurs, and it is unclear as to what extent the security forces actually tried to break up the riots.  Furthermore, there is concern over the whereabouts of the detainees since the Chinese government has not notified the family members.  Many Uighurs who are free are living in fear that they may be arrested for any acts of dissent.

Richardson added, “If [Chinese government is] serious about their stated commitment to justice, the coming days should see the first steps toward credible investigation.  But much of the rest of the rhetoric undermines that goal, and instead suggests a witch hunt.”

For more information, please see:

BBC – Most of Xinjiang dead ‘Chinese’ – 11 July 2009

Human Rights Watch – China: Security Build-Up Foreshadows Large-Scale Crackdown – 10 July 2009

MSNBC – Muslim women lead protests in China – 10 July 2009